never say "hate"

ok then I will say:

I strongly dislike people who steal.

It is low and very rude. It is invading and disrespectful. Do people that steal just "ASSUME" that "their insurance will pay for it, so it doesn't matter"? Or that they are a victim and therefore more deserving of an item.

Well my friend,

1.) I'm guessing YOU don't pay insurance, because if you did you would know that insurance rates SUCK because of punks like you!

2.) Insurance doesn't give you back your sense of security when your belongings have been gone through.

3.) When you steal it involves the lives of innocent people that are just doing their job, or living their lives. These people WORK FOR THINGS, I know it's a strange concept -

One of our local schools was broken into last night. How low are you to break into a school??? Is that equally as bad as robbing a church?

It was not a very joyful morning for the office that was broken into.

I am sorry to those that have been impacted negatively by other human beings who feel they are above the law, or common decency. We are so thankful to live in America and be free to do what we please. Fortunately this freedom comes with consequences.

I'm sure the only people reading this are law abiding citizens and that I haven't offended one thieving punk. Yes I'm venting, but let us all be aware of our circumstances and make sure we teach our children right from wrong.

When I was in elementary school I stole some straws from my teacher ( I know, who steals straws???) My mom found out and marched me down to the school to apologize to the teacher. I don't know how old I was, but to this day when I think back on the difficulty and shame of that situation it makes me a little sick. My parents taught me to respect others property, and that desiring something did not give me the right to own it. Things must be worked for and earned.

Thank you Mom and Dad for raising me in such an integrity rich environment to grow in! I love you and am thankful for all the lessons you taught me.

PS. people who steal suck!

my dearest chop liver,

It has been so long since I have seen you.

Although my last vision of you was holding a Diet Dr. Pepper FOR ME - and what a vision it was!

I don't like that you are a working man, I miss you. Can you come back to working for me??? We never get to hang out, or talk, you never spend the night anymore, or go on dates with me.

Of course I understand you work, go to school, are in the top percentile of your class, are in school plays, have church callings, perform random acts of kindness and beauty. I just wanna be part of your schedule again. We've been working together since you were 12, and now next month you will be 18 (crap here come the tears again). I didn't realize how big the niche in my life is, that you fill.

Are these pangs of withdraws?? Am I mentally trying to prepare for next year?? Although we have lived in separate households for most of your life, I have always had a strong bond with you. I loved taking you places when I was in high school because people always assumed you were mine. And in a way, I think you are. It is true of all your siblings, AND we don't like to share you!!! Especially not with each other!!!

You are my weakness (and you know it) when it comes to spoiling you. I love shopping for you, giving and doing for you. I always have. It amazes me that you can handle to be the youngest and be spoiled by most around you, yet have such a STRONG work ethic and be respectful of those you interact with, and prioritize all your responsibilities (which are many). I'm so proud of you for earning your Eagle this year, I know it wasn't easy but you took the jobs and stress in stride.

We have also been hard on you, 3 sisters first of all isn't easy for anybody. You have not rebelled against us, you have embraced us and learned and taken notes. You know more about women than any man under 50 probably should, and it has made you a more sympathetic and patient man. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be the most amazing husband and father someday. I also know that you have the ability to go very far in life and be extremely successful. You ask questions that I have just started asking myself.

I love you more than you know, and want the best for you always.

your adoring sister,

jen

your mom goes to college

I was just reminiscing on Napoleon quotes - awe such amazing dialogue!

I would like to thank that movie for every bad your mom comeback I've had, as well as Barb and Jane's (really bad comebacks!)

How dare you girls talk about my mom like that!! That stuff is only true about YOUR MOMS!!!

here's a few of my faves (click here get a full list of SWEET quotes!)

Napoleon Dynamite: Grandma just called and said you're supposed to go home.
Uncle Rico: She didn't tell me anything.
Napoleon Dynamite: Too bad, she said she doesn't want you here when she gets back because you've been ruining everybody's lives and eating all our steak.

Rex: Take a look at what I'm wearing, people. You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys? Forget about it. Last off, my students will learn about self respect. You think anybody thinks I'm a failure because I go home to Starla at night? Forget about it!

Don: Hey, Napoleon. What did you do last summer again?
Napoleon Dynamite: I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines!
Don: Did you shoot any?
Napoleon Dynamite: Yes, like 50 of 'em! They kept trying to attack my cousins, what the heck would you do in a situation like that?
Don: What kind of gun did you use?
Napoleon Dynamite: A freakin' 12-gauge, what do you think?

Deb: Are they still letting you run for president?
Pedro: Yes. I don't understand... they say you're not allowed to have pinatas that look like real people, but in Mexico, we do it all the time.

Napoleon Dynamite: Pedro offers you his protection

who is competitive?

so Megan worked a good portion of the day on Rhonda's new header on her blog, it looks fantastic~

well then I got jealous that they both had such pretty blogs, so.... here I am hours later with a blog that oddly enough MATCHES MY SCRAPBOOK ROOM/OFFICE! humm ..... well I guess now my blog will just match my house better. (cause that's what really matters in life)

We have no customers at the shop tomorrow, good/bad - I like days off, I don't like not being able to pay bills. Six of one, half dozen bill collectors of the other.

The shop was slow today so I took Jojo in with me, ya that's a brilliant idea! The poor dogs probably thought "why are WE in cages and not her?" Well that is a good question, and the answer is CPS frowns on it - I know, I know, a little food and a sippy cup and BAM life is easier. Not that I've actually done it of course, but the thought may have crossed my mind.... (please refer to the time we wanted to build a Velcro wall in our house and make Jojo a matching pj set. We didn't do that either, Velcro is expensive in bulk)

Dave worked some overtime today, thanks honey - it always comes back to the bills! I have been reading self help, financial Independence, psychology, business, marketing, and who knows what else books so that I can be a better... boss, mom, wife, and financial influence in our family. Boy it's hard to break old habits when the only thing that makes me feel better when I'm down and broke is go shopping. I know I'm not the only one or else Capital One couldn't afford all those commercials.

So right now I'm reading The Road Less Traveled, The Richest Man in Babylon, and The Art of The Start (that Guy Kawasaki is a good and funny writer! I'm loving it.) I just finished a short read, As a Man Thinketh and got a lot of positives from that.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay out of trouble (especially our dear Curt)!

Oh ya and a shout out to Betsy (and others who stop by), love you!

would you rather be pretty or smart????

I would like to tell you all reading this I feel like the smartest woman on the earth after watching this. Sure she probably gets more dates than I have in my life, but at least I own a map. I know I should feel bad for her, but as of yet I just can't.

you're too big, quit growing up!!

Today is Jacob's birthday and although it is exciting to have a big 6 year old in the family, I am a little sad. These kids just keep growing.



Last night we went to dinner at Cravings, were Austin was our wonderful server. On the way home Dave was talking to his mom and she asked if Austin was still in school. I butted in and said "he's a senior", although it came out proud it took everything I had to hold back the tears that were forming. When did Austin get all grown up. I can't even think about the fact that he leaves for his mission in barely over a year! I know I'm being emotional and he really is all grown up but this is HARD TO TAKE!



I just want to tell everyone what I was told a hundred times when I was young and quickly ignored because I didn't need any adult advice
"don't be so quick to grow up!"


Happy Birthday Jake (I found this picture yesterday and sure he's not even 2 in the picture - it is just me and Jake and I think we look pretty cute together!)

Happy Birthday to the LOVE OF MY LIFE!!

that's what my caller ID says when he calls,

"love of my life"!

Today is Dave and his twin brother Don's (Bart as his friends call him) birthday.

Happy Birthday boys!
(Tom, Dave, Don)


I am so lucky to be married to such a great guy. He is selfless and supportive. He loves me as much as I love him (actually I love him more, but we had to call a truce) and that's A LOT!! He is an amazingly patient person, which is a good balance since his wife and daughter ARE NOT!

We are so thankful to have him as the leader of our family. Thank you for all you do Dave! I love and appreciate you more than I could ever tell you!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Happy Birthday Princess

Tonight was Makayla's birthday dinner and Papa and Grandma's house.

Great Grandma Kempton came to dinner too! She brought EVERYONE presents! We all got her new line of beach towel blankets!

Makayla's dad was still carrying on with his antics (see Megan's blog here) I worry that the ego has gotten to such an enlarged condition it may be very damaging to deflate the tumor in his head. Get well soon Curt!!!

not hot

Curtis has taken to shamelessly begging for people who read his blog to vote for him...

it's just sad. He even tried to "win them over" (?) with this picture. Boy he hates loosing,





too bad for him. Feel free to leave your condolences at the link above. (I hope his face doesn't stick like that!)

darth vader, captain underpants and a powderpuff girl

I went by Rhonda's today and told Meg I'd sit with the kids while she picked up Jake at the bus stop.

It was total mayhem!















the making of lord vader:

it's the middle of the night, seems like a good time to post a blog

What in the world do I have to talk about, I'm even more boring this week than last week!!! That is scary.

My highlight is my new purse oh I'm sorry "handbag", I'm trying to sound classier. (regularly $89 Kathy Van something or other, I got it for $22! I'm a sucker for a marked down purse!)


All my siblings have had exciting weeks -
Meg's family has been sick, well,


sick and now I hope well (did I mention she is watching Rhonda's boys 3 days a week and now Dave will be dropping off Jojo at nap time on Friday's till I get off work? She must be CRAZY).


I was Rhonda's back up #3 after she dropped Jake off to school. (Chad was in a meeting and Mom was unavailable - maybe Makayla is right???). She had a hard time, and I was glad she called me, it's nice to feel needed.

Curt has had his ego pumped full of steroids, so we are all laying low till his head deflates. He is having a contest to name his new software. I'm gonna need sometime (maybe when the sun is out) to think about that. I am on amazon.com as I type getting ready to buy Curt's new book recommendation. He's kinda like Oprah, but... um.... different.

Our little bro Austin, who has been my right hand man at work (when ever I can get him) has started a job closer to home at
Cravings in Queen Creek. He is a server, and I'm sure he is pulling down some nice tips now that he is reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People"! If you go in there, ask to be seated in hottie Austin's section!


We didn't go to family dinner on Thursday, it was Barbara's birthday. Jane and I took her to dinner at BJ's (their GREAT WHITE PIZZA <> is to DIE FOR). I think she said she was 25, huh?

Business hasn't picked up yet, so I also need to take Curt's advice and get my plans in gear while I have time.

Dave is home now. Good night!

Have a Great Week!!!!

nothing in particular- I can't believe anyone would read this

I feel bad that I haven't had anything substantial or of any value to add to the world of blogging. It's not that I haven't tried, I have.

I could write about how Dave just emptied all the trash cans, and that might be the hottest thing I've seen in a while. But I don't think anyone but me cares.

I could go into detail about snapping my wrist this week, and it seems to be getting worse by the day, but who wants to hear me whine.

I could bore you with details of Trim Time; our new uniforms (which mainly consist of a t-shirt, name tag, and close toed shoes. Paperwork is boring but coming along nicely. I have an org chart that has my name in way too many positions. We did hire a new part time bather, he is very nice and very respectful of me and the animals, I'm sure he will make a great addition to our team. http://www.trimtimepetgrooming.com/ is up, email is non-existent. Don't think that is interesting to anyone.

Jocie has had a lot of home time since Dave started his new schedule.

We don't have any of the same days off together, but she has one of us home with her every day. I think she is sick of being an only child. She loves attention from perfect strangers, and hugs the neighborhood kids for dear life when she sees them. I'm not sure where she gets that macaroni and cheese is the best food on earth? Well, I share the same opinion, but....

Even the dogs are completly bored with us!

We have all switched to Dave's schedule a little. I don't go to bed at night, and then when Dave get's home he convinces me that ice cream would be good, and it "doesn't count" as food or calories. We have an ice cream problem.

I finished Harry Potter and Dave is about half way. I loved it and that it was a wonderful ending for the series. Of course I always gave JK credit for the story line and world that she had created, but it wasn't till this last book that I realized her genius in having everything in detail planned since book one. She sure can tell a story, even if at times it is hard for me to handle. I hope she writes more in the future.

For the last few months I have been trying to keep finances in order and cutting costs where I could. In instances like this, retail therapy is usually the best way to deal. Unfortunately a purse would not help the situation so much. So I have taken out my spending at the grocery store. My favorite thing of the week is getting the grocery store ads, scoping out the stores and bringing home the bargins. My FAVORITE part is when they tell you how much you saved! My goal is always to save more than I spent, but that doesn't always work. Dave doesn't quite understand that this is all in the name of having a year's supply, he just thinks I have a cold cereal obsession. He really may have something there too.

It is so hot outside that the garden is.... well not good. There will be a lot of dead plants going beck to Home Depot and Walmart that didn't survive. We will try again in the fall.

I miss seeing Kim a few times a week. I think Jocie does too, she misses her Wes and Sis. Jojo has taken very maternally to her blue baby.

We are heading into "birthday season", August and September are crazy!!! It's time to get out the cards and start writting. (oh I found a website I LOVE http://www.birthdayreminders.com/ - it reminds you!!!)

I think that's it, boring but we can't all be exciting ALL THE TIME!

"my updo" compliments of Austin bored at work